Media

Man cited after bringing gun to Newark Liberty International Airport

Local Press Release

Monday, July 06, 2015

NEWARK, N.J. - A man who relocated from New Jersey to North Carolina just last week was back in New Jersey and was cited by police for bringing a loaded gun to Newark Liberty International Airport yesterday, July 6 after Transportation Security Administration officers detected a gun in his carry-on bag.

It marked the third gun that TSA officers have detected at Newark Liberty International Airport checkpoints this year.

TSA officers detected the 9 mm firearm, which was loaded with five rounds, as the man was passing through the Newark airport checkpoint. The TSA officer who was staffing the checkpoint X-ray machine detected the handgun among the man’s carry-on items as they passed along the conveyor belt. The man said he forgot that he was carrying his firearm when he was stopped by TSA.

TSA officers immediately contacted the Port Authority Police Department, which responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm and cited the man on a state weapons charge. There was no impact to airport operations.

The man had a 9 mm Smith & Wesson with him at the Newark Liberty International Airport checkpoint when TSA officers detected the gun in a carry-on bag on July 6.

As a reminder, weapons—including firearms, firearm parts and ammunition—are not permitted in carry-on bags. Travelers who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA of up to $11,000.

Passengers are responsible for the contents of bags they bring to the security checkpoint, and TSA’s advice to passengers is to look through bags thoroughly before coming to the airport to make sure there are no illegal or prohibited items.

Travelers should familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure.

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